TWO post offices are to be axed, leaving residents with a lengthy slog with their mail and to pick up pensions and benefits.

Royal Mail has admitted it plans to shut the Leftwich Green office in London Road and the Winnington office in Winnington Lane.

If approved, the closures could go ahead as early as January.

Bosses say there are simply too many post offices competing for too little business, but the many residents who will face hikes to Davenham, Castle or Northwich town centre disagree.

There is a particular concern for people using the Leftwich Green office as they will have to cross a duel carriageway and roundabout to get to the Davenham branch.

Roy Cotterill, a Northwich town councillor whose ward covers the Leftwich office, says he is shocked at the proposals.

He said: 'Everybody in Leftwich uses that post office. Perhaps they think less people will go there with these direct debit schemes they have brought in, but I can't believe that they are saying that it is not viable. Are they expecting pensioners to go to Davenham or town?

'I will be putting the proposed closures of these two post offices on the agenda of the next town council meeting to see if we can get something done.'

The vicar for Winnington, Sheila Hughes, said: 'I think it is appalling that the Winnington office is going to be closed, it will be devastating for those who are elderly or disabled. There are no facilities for them to park outside the town centre office and if they have no transport available they will have to take a bus because the elderly can't walk up Winnington hill.

'Myself and my husband both use the post office regularly as professional people and it will take a good half an hour out my day to go to the Northwich office instead.

'I will be contacting the Post Office on behalf of Winnington church community because I know how devastating this closure will be for many people.' Eddie Herbert, head of area for the Post Office, said: 'Proposals to close the branches are not made without considerable research and discussion, so we are anxious that customers and all relevant organ-isations understand why we consider it necessary to reduce the size of our network.

'We have considered the situation very carefully and have concluded that if these offices were to close it would improve the long-term prospects of the other offices in the area. We are confident they could cope with the extra business and therefore we are proposing to close these offices permanently next year.'

He added: 'Before we make a final decision, though, we are keen to hear of any concerns customers and others might have.

'I'd ask that people write to me at the following address by December 2nd: National Consultant Team, PO Box 641, St Albans AL1 5XN.'